Cover for electric switch-boxes.



H. B. ROE.

COVER FOR ELECTRIC SWITCH BOXES.

APPLICATION FILED 13110.13, 1909.

1,038,963. Patented Sept. 17,1912.

WITNESSES $11M Men.

INVENTOR HOWARD B. ROE, OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA.

Specification of Eietters Patent.

COVER FOR ELECTRIC SWITCH-BOXES.

Patented Sept. 17, 1912.

Application filed December 13, 1909. Serial No. 532,748.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HOWARD B. Ron, a resident of Pittsburgh, (NorthSide,) in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsyl- Vania, haveinvented a new and useful Improvement in Covers for Electric Switch-Boxes; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, andexact description thereof.

1 My invention relates to covers for electric switch boxes, and hasspecial reference to what are known as flush switch boxes.

The object of my invention is to provide a cheap, simple and efiicientcover for flush switch boxes which can be made adjustable so as toenable the same to be placed at the position desired for forming a flushconnection with the wall or other place on which it is used, and willform a rigid and binding connection when set in place.

My invention consists, generally stated, 1n the novel arrangement,construction and combination of parts, as hereinafter more specificallyset forth and described and particularly pointed out in the claims.

To enable others skilled in the art to which my invention appertains toconstruct and use my improved cover for flush switch boxes, I willdescribe the same more fully,

referring to the accompanying drawing, in

which-- Figure 1 is a front elevation of a flush switch box employing myinvention. Fig. 2 is a cross-section of the same on the line 2-2 Fig. 1.Fig. 3 is a like section on the line 3 3 Fig. 1. Fig. 4c is aperspective view of the throat or sleeve member employed.

Like symbols of reference herein indicate like parts in each of thefigures of the drawin r is illustrated in the drawing, 1 represents thebox, 'which is generally formed of metal, such as steel, and into squareshape, preferably by stamping or pressing, and fitting over said box isthe cover 2 of the same shape and material and preferably formed in thesame manner. This cover 2 is provided with an opening 3 cent-rallythrough the same, which is preferably of oblong shape, and has a flangeor rim 4 extending outwardly around the same. The cover 2 extends beyondthe sides of the box 1, and is secured to such box by means of screws 5passing through the same and through lugs or ears 6, which are formed onthe sides of the box and extend into the interior of the same,

Fitting within the openin 3 in the box 2 is the throat or sleeve mem er7, which is formed of the same material and in the same manner as thebox 1 and cover 2 and is preferably of the same oblong shape as saidopening. This sleeve 7 has a spring portion 8 formed in each of its ends7 by slitting 5 or cutting such ends for a portion of their depth fromthe inner edgeof the same, as at 8', and within each of said springportions is an elongated opening or slot 9 for screws 10 to engage withholes 11 in the 7 rim 4, as hereinafter described. Lugs or ears 12 areformed on each of the ends 7 on the sleeve 7, which extend outwardlyfrom the outer edge of said sleeve and above the spring portions 8 forthe attaching of the switch (not shown) to the device in the usualmanner by screws on the switch passin through threaded holes 13 in saidears.

hen the box 1 is in position in the wall or other place in which it isto be used, and so the cover 2 is secured in place thereon by the screws5 passing through the same and engaging with the ears 6 on said box, thesleeve 7 can then be placed within the opening 3 in said cover and whenadjusted to 35 position so that the outer edge of the same is in linewith the Wall, the screws 10 are passed through the slots 9 in thespring portions 8 on said sleeve and screwed to place within thethreaded holes 11 in the rim 4 of the cover surrounding said opening andsleeve. After this is done, the usual switch is placed within the sleeve7 and secured to the ears 12 as above described, and then the face platecan be placed over the sleeve 7 and switch and secured to the switch inthe usual manner.

It will be obvious that when my improved cover for electric switch boxesis in place, the sleeve 7 employed therewith can be adjusted to anyposition desired by tilting the same on the screws 10 passing throughthe slots 9 in the spring portions 8 of the same and engaging with therim t on the cover and then screwing up said screws to hold the sleevein place. One position of such cover is shown in Fig. 3, in which theadjustable sleeve 7 is tilted on its sides in the cover, by swinging thesame on the screws 10, which will act as a pivot in such case, andanother position is shown in Fig. 2, in which such sleeve is slid alongsaid screws to tilt the same on its ends, in which case the springportions 8 on the sleeve Wlll bind against the rim 4 on the cover 2, andthereby assist in holding the sleeve in place.

It will be evident that the box and my improved cover for the same canbe formed of any suitable material and in any suitable manner, and thatthe shape of the same maybe varied, while such cover can be used on what1s known as gang switch boxes or for interior electric conduit boxescommonly known as outlet boxes, and for other .spirit of the invent-ionas defined in the claims or sacrificing any of its advantages.

It will thus be seen that my improved cover for electric switch andother similar boxes will enable an easy, rapid and conven ient settingof the cover in proper position with relation to the wall or other placein which the box is used, so as to form a neat and finished appearanceto the work and tor the placing of the switch and face-plate thereon,and such cover will also permit of easy and free movement for adjustmentat all times when placed within the box and when once set in positionwill be held rigidly and securely for the finishing of the work inconnection with the same. By reason of the screws being operated on theinside of the sleeve in adjusting the cover it will overcome the plasteraround the box from being dug out from around the ordinary screws by theworkmen, as in ordinary construction. The device will also enable theuse 0 both shallow and deep covers on the boxes, as when the sleevemember is at its most inward position on the box it will act as ashallow cover or when drawn out to its complete outward position it willform a deep cover, thereby rendering the .cover of efficient use whentwo boxes are placed back to back against each other in shallow walls.

What I claim as myinvention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1.An electric switch box cover having an opening therein, and a slidablesleeve fitting in said opening and having outwardly extending springportions within the same, and means between, said cover and said springportions to permit the adjustment of said sleeve.

2. An electric switch box cover having an opening therein, a sleevefitting in said opening having spring portions provided with a slottherein, and means passing through said slots and engaging with saidcover to permit the adjustment of said sleeve.

3. An electric switch box cover having an opening therein provided witha surrounding flange, a sleeve fitting in said opening having springportions provided with a slot therein, and means passing through saidslots and engaging with said flangeto permit the adjustment of saidsleeve.

4. An electric switch box cover' having an opening therein provided witha surrounding flange, a sleeve fitting in said opening having springportions provided with a slot therein, and a screw passing through saidslots and engaging with said flange and sleeve to permit the adjustmentof said sleeve and holdthe same in place.

In testimony whereof, I, thesaid HOWARD B. Ron, have hereunto set myhand.

' HOWARD B. ROE.

Witnesses:

' GERTRUDE KREMER,

J. N. CooKE.

